Hal Kitchings Ministries

10/05/2026

MAN MONDAY IN A MINUTE (or two 😬)…

“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭3‬

10/02/2026

HELPING CARRY PEOPLE TO A BETTER PLACE—BY GOD’S GRACE.. (HK Ministries Monthly Report)

September gave me the opportunity to move into my new season of ministry. Here’s what happened:

-Encounter Weekend with the Mercy House at 6 Mile encampment. I spent a Sunday-Wednesday with about 50 men and staff members. I loved it! The stories I heard from some of these guys were crushing. I am so proud of the progress they’ve made and their authenticity. The bible says the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and they have been broken. They impacted me more than I probably impacted them.

-Supply preaching at Daniel Baptist in Jackson one Sunday. This was not on my calendar when the month started. I know those opportunities will occur occasionally, and I thank God for them. It was like a homecoming. My first full-time church out of seminary was as Youth/Recreation Minister at Daniel with Dr. Byron Malone. It was a wonderful first church after graduation experience. I preached from the same text I preached the first time I ever preached in front of a congregation— which was there at Daniel Baptist on a Sunday evening. I had not preached from the Romans 12 passage since that night. I was 27 and I am about to be 66. The sermon was a little longer this time. 😬 Kellie and I were treated so warmly and just enjoyed everything about it.

-Filming my next podcast at The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame with Coach Ricky Black. I cannot wait for you to watch it. He did a superb job of talking about coaching and relationships. We had two former players participate. (Actually, three if you count me as one of his 7th grade quarterbacks. 😎) Gerry Taylor from Kosciusko days and Swayze Waters from Prep days joined us for the experience. It should be available for viewing in the next few weeks.

-Joining Jason Curry for Man Church at The Church at Rock Creek in Little Rock, Arkansas. Wow, what a night! There were around 250 men or so plus staff in attendance. Jason interviewed me and we covered a lot of ground in a short period of time. I’m still reflecting on the evening and trying to figure out if I answered all his questions. 😳 He is a wonderful man of God, and the church is doing incredible things to reach that community. I was blessed to be a part of the men’s ministry event.

People often ask me the same basic questions. Here are some of them…
>What do you miss most about not being a full-time pastor? My answer—people.
>What do you enjoy most about your new ministry? My answer—people. I enjoy folks and
the blessing of being available to go to various places is so much fun because I am having
the opportunity to meet so many new people. I absolutely love it!
>Are you open to serving as an Interim Pastor? My answer—yes. It would need to be the right circumstances for the church and my new ministry. I think I would enjoy doing this.
>How’s your new dog doing? Rocky is doing great! He’s my buddy and his potty training is
moving in the right direction. 😃

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT! Kellie and I both appreciate it more than you will ever know. We now have a business address for those that have inquired about it. It is:

Hal Kitchings Ministries
P.O. Box 371
Madison, MS 39130

Until next time…
“He who does not look ahead remains behind.” ~Spanish proverb

10/02/2026

TODAY’S WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT…

“O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

10/01/2026

09/30/2026

HERE ARE TWO WAYS TO RUIN YOUR LIFE AND MAYBE THOSE AROUND YOU.
Grumble and argue. That’s it. If you want to have a no good, very bad, awful life, grumble a lot and argue with people every time you have the opportunity to do so. I pray I am not “that guy.” Lord, please forgive me if I am. Lord, please change me and anyone who reads this if we are like the character in the Winnie-the-Pooh books, Eeyore. When I think about these two characteristics, I think of him. (Or her.)

This passage, of course, really explains how to have a great life. Don’t spend it grumbling all the time and arguing every chance you get. Sure, we all have our days, but there are some who have a pattern of being a grumbler and just looking for a
fight. That is not the way to reflect the Lord Jesus as a Christ follower. Grumblers find something they don’t like and respond with negative emotions. A true grumbler does this most every day. It does not win friends or influence people in a good way. And arguing is just being one that likes to fuss. If there’s nothing to fuss about, this person will make up something. Our perverted world does not need this type of argumentation, they get enough of that through pagans.

The Apostle Paul points out that when we don’t constantly complain or argue in life, we have a better afterlife. Why? Because of our Godly influence and making the most of every day. Our race down here as a believer is not easy. It is not lengthy in light of eternity. So, let’s not ruin it or make others miserable. Let’s indeed have the same attitude of Christ. Look back over the verses preceding our focal passage and we will see how. Live by faith today…

September 30

DAILY READING:
Isaiah 60:1–62:5; Philippians 1:27–2:18
Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 24:11-12
Focal Passage: Philippians 2:14-16

09/29/2026

☕ Happy International Coffee Day!

If you know me very well, you know I don’t need a special day to celebrate coffee! I’m a pretty firm believer that a good cup of coffee can make almost any conversation better. 😄

Over the years, I’ve learned that some of the best ministry doesn’t happen behind a pulpit. Sometimes it happens across a table with a cup of coffee in your hand—listening to someone, encouraging a friend, checking on a pastor, or simply taking time to be present.

The Bible says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

That’s a pretty good challenge for today. Buy somebody a cup of coffee. Sit down. Listen. Encourage them. Let them know they matter. You never know how God might use a simple conversation.

Now, since it IS International Coffee Day, I need some important information… 😂

👇 Tell me your favorite coffee spot AND your go-to coffee order in the comments!

I’m always willing to conduct a little coffee “research.” ☕😂

— Hal

Hal Kitchings Ministries
A Ministry of Encouragement

09/28/2026

MAN MONDAY IN A MINUTE…

“David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the LORD. “The LORD forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭23‬:‭15‬-‭17‬

09/25/2026

TODAY’S WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT…

“Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬ ‭

09/23/2026

I was honored to be asked to participate…

09/23/2026

DO YOU HAVE A FAITH THAT WORKS?
Now you’ve been with me long enough this year to know I do not believe in a works salvation. Ephesians was written primarily to let the church in Ephesus know that Jews and Gentiles are brought together in Christ. Those who trust in Jesus by faith alone are one family. No more divide. We are to live in harmony, growing in our faith in Christ. The result? We will do good works.

Immediately following the verses that are often used to explain the truth of the gospel—we are saved by faith and not works—is a verse that might be overlooked due to the emphasis on the preceding verses. Yes, they are incredibly important! But we must not forget God has a work for us to do as His children. That’s why we remain on earth. We glorify Him and His kingdom by fulfilling our purpose. I think there are Christians who are unfulfilled and miserable inside because they are not doing God’s work. I think deep down they know this to be true. Are you one? Please stop it. Allow God to change the trajectory of your life so you will be fulfilled, and the dash between your birth date and your death date won’t just be a mark on a tombstone. It will represent the work God had for you due to your faith in Him.

No one else on the planet will be able to do the work that God has designed specifically and especially for you. Oh, He will accomplish His will with or without us. But you are not still down here to just sit on your hands or sit in a pew on
Sundays. No, not at all. God has lives to touch through you. God has something to build through you. God has family members to be taught and inspired by you. Do not waste your life! It’s short. Make it count. Live by faith today…

September 23

DAILY READING:
Isaiah 41:17–43:13; Ephesians 2:1-22
Psalm 67:1-7; Proverbs 23:29-35
Focal Passage: Ephesians 2:10